Research on lung cancer detection and treatment. Covers microbial predictors of immunotherapy, MRI detection, microplastics, and RAS-mutant drugs.
Researchers developed an AI tool that can identify never-smokers at high risk for lung cancer based on their chest X-ray images. The study found that 28% of non-smokers were deemed high risk by the model, and these patients had a 2.1 times greater risk of developing lung cancer compared to low-risk individuals.
A phase 2 trial found that durvalumab is safe and may benefit overall survival in non-small cell lung cancer patients with borderline performance status. The study also showed stable quality of life and a lower incidence of severe treatment-related adverse events compared to platinum doublet chemotherapy.
Researchers at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center have found that lung cancer cells retain a 'memory' of their healthy cell counterparts, which could be exploited to improve treatment with KRAS inhibitors. Eliminating these AT1-like cells improves treatment response to the drugs.
The November issue of CHEST journal features cutting-edge research on asthma, COPD, diffuse lung disease, and thoracic oncology. A new guideline provides updated recommendations for patients with stable COPD, while home spirometry is shown to be less consistent than clinic spirometry in monitoring lung function in patients with asthma.
A new study funded by Cancer Research UK reveals that smoking tobacco causes 20.8 million years of life loss each year, with four preventable risk factors contributing to over 30 million years of life lost annually. The study suggests that action on a global scale could save millions of lives from preventable cancers.
A University of Adelaide and Oxford University study found that asbestos exposure led to a higher incidence of lung cancers in British and Australian naval personnel compared to other armed forces. The researchers estimated that 27% of lung cancers in Australian seamen were related to onboard asbestos exposure.
A new study suggests that analyzing genetic material from nearby healthy tissue may help predict lung cancer's return after treatment. The study analyzed RNA from tumor cells and adjacent, seemingly normal lung tissue and found that the expression of genes associated with inflammation was especially useful for making predictions.
A new study published in Radiology shows that patients diagnosed with lung cancer via CT screening have a 20-year survival rate of 81 percent, significantly higher than the average five-year survival rate for all lung cancer patients. Early detection through routine screening can lead to a cure if found early.
Researchers identified a mechanism that fuels cancer cell growth and developed a new strategy to restrict this process. By restricting glucose in lung cancer cells, they found it caused the cells to lose their specialized features, making them more aggressive.
A large-scale study found that low-dose CT screening increases the 20-year survival rate of lung cancer patients from 18.6% to 81%, with Stage I cancers having an even higher long-term survival rate of 95%. Early detection through annual screening can effectively cure lung cancer in the long term.
Men who are overweight or obese at age 18 have a higher risk of developing 17 different cancers later in life. Higher BMI is also associated with an increased risk of mortality after cancer diagnosis for certain types of cancer.
Researchers at Mainz University Medical Center aim to improve patients' quality of life by applying smart data technology to physical activity. The DECIDE project aims to provide individualized control of patients' daily physical activity, while the RELEVIUM project focuses on alleviating pain and weight loss in pancreatic cancer patie...
The updated guideline recommends yearly low-dose CT scan screening for people aged 50-80 years old with a 20+ pack-year history of smoking. This expansion aims to detect lung cancer early, potentially saving lives.
Researchers at Duke University developed an innovative antibody approach to target and kill tumor-promoting molecules found in cancer cells. The study revealed notable reductions in tumor growth and minimal side effects, making it a promising new treatment option for various types of cancer.
A recent study led by Stanford Medicine researchers found that national lung cancer screening guidelines are less effective for African Americans than whites. An alternative risk-based method showed better results in eliminating disparities among races. The disparities persist despite guideline revisions implemented in 2021.
A UCLA-led study shows datopotamab deruxtecan, a Trop-2 directed antibody-drug conjugate, significantly improves progression-free survival in patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer. The treatment primarily benefits patients with non-squamous tumors, reducing disease progression and improving overall survival.
Researchers at H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute demonstrate lorlatinib's activity against protein PYK2 in non-small cell lung cancer cells, revealing a potential path for repurposing the drug for other cancers. The study shows that combination therapy targeting ROS1, PYK2, and SRC results in enhanced cancer cell death ...
A new study reveals a reversal in the trend of early-onset lung cancer, now affecting younger women and middle-aged adults. The increased incidence in women is attributed to rising rates among those born in the 1960s, without higher smoking prevalence.
A multilevel primary care intervention, including electronic health record reminders and patient outreach, improved timely follow-up of overdue abnormal cancer screening test results for breast, cervical, colorectal, and lung cancer. The intervention was found to be effective in reducing missed screenings.
A phase 2 clinical trial found that serial blood tests can identify patients who benefit from additional immunotherapies, suggesting a potential early marker of treatment response. The study also showed that ctDNA analyses correlated with tumor size and survival, making it a promising strategy for guiding therapy.
A new study found that an alternative model to identify patients with lung cancer eligible for screening was more accurate than the currently used method based on the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) criteria. The PLCOm2012 models had higher sensitivity and identified more people with lung cancer eligible for scree...
A new AI tool developed by Brazilian researchers can detect potentially cancerous lung nodules in CT reports, missing a crucial early diagnosis. The NLP tool achieved an accuracy rate of 97% in identifying suspicious nodules.
Researchers discovered that the short-chain fatty acid propionate can reduce metastases in mice with experimental lung cancer. The substance also increases the effectiveness of Cisplatin, a commonly used drug for lung cancer patients. Funding is now sought to identify patients who may benefit from propionate treatment.
A machine learning model developed by researchers can predict lung cancer risk with an 83.9% sensitivity, identifying those who need screening for the disease. The model uses just three predictors: age, smoking duration, and pack-years of smoking, making it a simplified approach to determine high-risk populations.
A novel liquid biopsy test identifies levels of circulating tumor DNA as a more precise measure of disease burden than the number of tumors themselves. Patients with lower levels of detectable ctDNA are more likely to benefit from radiation therapy.
Cancer cells exploit enhancer DNA to accelerate tumor growth, according to researchers at the University of Toronto. The study found that specific proteins regulate this process, suggesting potential treatments through FOXA1 or NFIB suppression.
Researchers have made significant progress in using immunotherapies prior to surgery, leading to better biomarkers and more effective combination therapies. This approach has shown promise in various cancer types, including lung cancer, triple-negative breast cancer, melanoma, and gastrointestinal cancers.
A new editorial paper highlights the importance of including older patients in lung cancer clinical trials, where they are often undertreated due to age-related factors. The paper emphasizes the need for increased collaboration among stakeholders to enhance enrollment and retention of older cancer patients.
The five-year grant will utilize ecological and evolutionary principles to study non-small cell lung cancer growth and treatment resistance. Researchers aim to uncover novel therapeutic strategies that can suppress the evolution of resistance in this common type of lung cancer.
A Rice University-led team of researchers has been awarded $45 million to develop a new sense-and-respond implant technology that could improve immunotherapy outcomes for patients with difficult-to-treat cancers. The technology, called THOR, aims to provide real-time data from the tumor environment to guide more effective therapies.
The 'Crystal Ribcage' technology enables scientists to study lung function at a cellular level while maintaining physiological processes. This innovation holds immense potential for understanding lung diseases and developing new treatments.
Researchers developed a scoring system analyzing income, education, geographical location, access to care, and other factors to identify patients at increased risk of poor outcomes. The study found significant socioeconomic disadvantage associated with a 21% decrease in textbook outcomes and a 32% decrease in overall survival.
Researchers have successfully developed a robot that can autonomously navigate through living lung tissue, avoiding vital structures such as airways and blood vessels. This innovation enables surgeons to reach previously inaccessible small tumors, improving treatment outcomes for patients with lung cancer.
Researchers found higher 5-year survival rates among Kaiser Permanente patients compared to National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) estimates. Improved screening rates, cancer treatment pathways, and coordinated care may have contributed to these higher survival rates.
Researchers found that beta-blockers can revive exhausted killer T cells, making them better cancer fighters. The study discovered a link between the sympathetic stress response and immune system response to cancer.
The September issue of the CHEST journal features research on long COVID, including a review on exercise pathophysiology in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Postacute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2. Original studies also explore asthma treatment with albuterol-budesonide inhalers and sleep therapy using oronasal masks.
A study by researchers at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine found that thoracic surgeons who treat lung cancer are helping to reduce patients' risk of opioid dependence. The ERATS protocol, which includes intercostal nerve blocks and safe pain relievers, enables earlier hospital discharge with nearly opioid-free recovery.
A study at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine found that robot-assisted surgeries and improved pain-management initiatives led to earlier discharges for many patients. However, lower-income patients were less likely to be discharged on day one due to socioeconomic disparities.
Researchers at MD Anderson Cancer Center found that combination immunotherapy with durvalumab and novel agents outperforms durvalumab alone in early-stage non-small-cell lung cancer. The study showed higher major pathological response rates for combination therapy, with some regimens inducing up to 31.3% of MPR.
Patients with stage 1-3 non-small cell lung cancer treated with combination immunotherapy before surgery had a better major pathological response rate than those receiving single-agent therapy alone. The NeoCOAST platform trial found that targeting multiple cancer pathways through therapy may be superior to a single treatment.
Researchers at the University of Liverpool are developing a novel immunotherapeutic strategy to treat non-small cell lung cancer. They will create personalized 'doggybone DNA' vaccines using rapid replication of genetic medicine.
CityU and AFCR have signed a MoU to promote cutting-edge cancer-related innovative inventions and commercialization. The partnership aims to foster the development of biomedicine and related innovation, with world-leading scholars from Harvard Medical School attending the inaugural 'Innovation Series in Biomedicine' forum.
A secondary analysis of NRG Oncology-RTOG 0617 found IMRT reduced CTCAE grade ≥ 3 pneumonitis by 2-fold compared to 3D-CRT. The study suggests IMRT should be the radiation technique of choice for patients with locally advanced NSCLC.
Researchers from Shinshu University identified citrullination as a key mechanism in lung cancer metastasis. A novel CitFbg peptide was developed to block metastatic cell homing and reduce the risk of cancer spread.
Research published in BMJ Oncology reveals a global increase of 79% in new cancer cases among those under 50 between 1990 and 2019. Breast cancer accounted for the highest number of early onset cases, while cancers of the windpipe and prostate rose the fastest.
Researchers found that antioxidants activate a mechanism forming new blood vessels in tumor cells, which can help them grow and spread. The study suggests that dietary supplements containing antioxidants may accelerate tumour growth and metastasis in cancer patients.
A novel liquid biopsy technology developed by UCSC Assistant Professor Daniel Kim's lab leverages RNA 'dark matter' to enhance cancer diagnosis. The test detects both protein-coding and repetitive noncoding RNAs in the blood, showing improved sensitivity for early-stage cancer detection.
Researchers discovered that specific enzymes on immune cells can predict patient survival and response to immunotherapies. High levels of CD39 on cytotoxic T cells located within tumors are associated with increased survival and better response to treatment.
Cancer patients face reduced co-determination and insufficient information about treatment, while doctors feel pressured to give harmful treatments. Patients struggle to understand options and communicate with healthcare professionals.
A new study finds that integrating longitudinal tobacco cessation care into lung cancer screening improves quit rates and enhances the benefits of screenings. Researchers recommend incorporating behavioral treatment and medication into the screening process to help smokers quit.
A statistician at Virginia Commonwealth University has been awarded a $1.7 million grant to investigate the long-term effects of neighborhood exposures and racial segregation on cancer risk. The researcher aims to better understand how geographic and socioeconomic factors contribute to disparities in cancer incidence and mortality.
Researchers have identified a neoplastic fusion transcript RAD51AP1-DYRK4 in luminal B breast cancer, associated with higher ki67 expression and aggressive clinical characteristics. MEK inhibitor trametinib may be effective in blocking the MEK-ERK signaling driven by this fusion.
A new study estimates that cancer screenings have saved the US at least $6.5 trillion and led to 12 million more years of life, with significant economic impact from breast, colon, cervical, and lung cancer screenings.
A large long-term study found that good cardiorespiratory fitness in young men is associated with a significantly lower risk of developing nine specific cancers, including a 40% reduced risk of liver cancer. Higher fitness was also linked to lower risks of rectal, pancreatic, and bowel cancers.
A biomolecule has been engineered to selectively target and remove mucins from cancer cells, reducing tumor growth and increasing survival in lab-grown human cancer cells and mouse studies. This discovery could play a significant role in future therapies for cancer, as mucins are associated with many diseases.
A new study from the University of East Anglia found that most vapers believe a 'Swap-to-Stop' scheme providing free e-cigarettes would have helped them quit smoking. However, some respondents prefer to purchase e-cigarettes commercially due to personal preference for specific products.
A meta-analysis of multiple studies found no association between depression and anxiety and most types of cancer. However, the study found a link between depression and anxiety with a 6% higher risk of developing lung cancer and smoking-related cancers.
Researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Yale Cancer Center uncover epigenetic mechanism driving resistance to osimertinib in EGFR-mutant lung cancer. Blocking SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complexes reverses resistance, suggesting new therapeutic strategy
The GEMINI blood test uses machine learning to identify cancer-causing mutations in single molecules of cell-free DNA. The test detected over 90% of lung cancers, including stage I and II cases, in a proof-of-concept study published in Nature Genetics.
Researchers found that individuals exposed to wildfires within a year of lung cancer surgery had significantly lower overall survival rates compared to those not exposed. The closer the exposure occurred to the surgery, the worse the survival rate, with patients exposed 3-6 months after surgery facing a 48% decrease in survival chances.